This blog is meant to display my coins/currency notes/stamps, in an informative manner, which would be useful to users in knowing about the history of the period when these coins/banknotes/stamps were minted/printed and events/persons they honour/depict, both on Indian and foreign coins/banknotes/stamps. The content would be more in the nature of a walk down memory lane through my collection/articles.

TANAPEX-2017
(Tamilnadu Philatelic Exhibition) at Chennai held from 05–08.01.2017: Special
Covers released on Day III (07.01.2017):

Three Special Covers were
released during TANAPEX 2017 on 07.01.2017 on three legends of Tamil Cinema – Samikannu
Vincent, T.P. Rajalakshmi and M.G. Ramachandran:

1)
Samikannu Vincent:

The Front of the Special
cover on “Legend of Tamil Cinema - Samikannu Vincent”

The Front of the Special
Cover shows an image of Samikannu Vincent on the left and is titled “Tamil Cinema Ke Divya Charitra” (in
Hindi) and “Legend of Tamil Cinema” (in English).

In the centre top is the
logo/emblem of the “Swacchh Bharat
Mission” with the slogan “Ek Kadam
Swachhta Ki Ore” (in Hindi – meaning “A step towards cleanliness”).

The Rs.5/- stamp is on the
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, in New Delhi. The Cancellation
Hand-stamp is inscribed “Tamil Cinema Ke
Divya Charitra” (in Hindi) and “Legend of Tamil Cinema” (in English)

In the centre is an image
of a Cinema rolling-camera on a tripod. The cancellation is of Chennai GPO and
is dated “07.01.2017”.

The Back of the Special
Cover on “Legend of Tamil Cinema – Samikannu Vincent”

The Back of the Special
Cover is inscribed:

“Samikannu Vincent
(1883-1942) set up business as a film exhibitor, raised the required money with
difficulty and bought the ailing Frenchman Du Pont’s projectors, accessories,
films and all and went about screening short films. Vincent usually screened
his films in a tent and the “tent cinema” concept became very popular.

In 1905, Vincent
established his first tent cinema in Madras called Edison’s Grand Cinema Megaphone
on Esplanade. Aware of the advantages of having a brick and mortar cinema
house, he built one in his hometown, Coimbatore in 1914 and called it Variety
Hall, South India’s first permanent cinema theatre. He also produced and
directed movies and joined the Board of Central Studios.

By 1919, he established
the first power-driven Rice and Flour Mill in Coimbatore. In 1922, the then
Government gave him permission to supply electric power to the famous “Stanes
European High School”. Later he was issued a licence to set up a power house
and the streets of Coimbatore and the residential buildings in the heart of the
city had electric lights.”

Below this description is
the logo of “TANAPEX-2017”.

On the lower half is given
the logo of India Post (on the left) and the logo of “South India Philatelist’s
Association” (on the right).

The Front of the Special
cover on “Legend of Tamil Cinema - T.P.Rajalakshmi”

The Front of the Special
Cover shows an image of T. P. Rajalakshmi on the left and is titled “Tamil Cinema Ke Divya Charitra” (in
Hindi) and “Legend of Tamil Cinema” (in English).

In the centre top is the
logo/emblem of the “Swacchh Bharat
Mission” with the slogan “Ek Kadam
Swachhta Ki Ore” (in Hindi – meaning “A step towards cleanliness”).

The Rs.5/- stamp is on the
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, in New Delhi. The Cancellation
Hand-stamp is inscribed “Tamil Cinema Ke
Divya Charitra” (in Hindi) and “Legend of Tamil Cinema” (in English)

In the centre is an image
of a Cinema rolling-camera on a tripod. The cancellation is of Chennai GPO and
is dated “07.01.2017”.

The Back of the Special
Cover on “Legend of Tamil Cinema – T.P. Rajalakshmi”

The Back of the Special
Cover is inscribed:

“T.P. Rajalakshmi, born in
Thiruvaiyaru, who later came to be fondly addressed by people as Cinema Rani,
entered the film industry at the age of 14 and ruled it for almost two decades.
She is the first woman actor in Tamil Cinema and the first woman director in
south Indian cinema. The film “Miss Kamala” was a landmark in Tamil Cinema as
it was the first film in India to be directed, acted and produced by a woman.

She was brave even at a
very young age. In addition to acting in plays, she even began to write songs
and drama that spoke against British Rule in India and was imprisoned many
times.

T.P. Rajalakshmi did not
restrict herself only to film. She was also a reformist and adopted infant girl
children to save them from female infanticide. She strongly believed in
widow-remarriage and fought for it.”

Below this description is
the logo of “TANAPEX-2017”.

On the lower half is given
the logo of India Post (on the left) and the logo of “South India Philatelist’s
Association” (on the right).

The Front of the Special
cover on “Legend of Tamil Cinema - M.G.Ramachandran”

The Front of the Special
Cover shows an image of M.G.Ramachandran on the left and is titled “Tamil Cinema Ke Divya Charitra” (in
Hindi) and “Legend of Tamil Cinema” (in English).

In the centre top is the
logo/emblem of the “Swacchh Bharat
Mission” with the slogan “Ek Kadam
Swachhta Ki Ore” (in Hindi – meaning “A step towards cleanliness”).

The Rs.5/- stamp is on the
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, in New Delhi. The Cancellation
Hand-stamp is inscribed “Tamil Cinema Ke
Divya Charitra” (in Hindi) and “Legend of Tamil Cinema” (in English)

In the centre is an image
of a Cinema rolling-camera on a tripod. The cancellation is of Chennai GPO and
is dated “07.01.2017”.

The Back of the Special
Cover on “Legend of Tamil Cinema - M.G.Ramachandran”

The Back of the Special
Cover is inscribed:

“Marudur Gopalan Ramachandran,
popularly known as MGR, was an Indian actor and politician who served as Chief
Minister of Tamil Nadu for ten years between 1977 and 1987. He dominated like
none other, the films and politics of Tamil Nadu. A charismatic actor and
philanthropist, he commended the idolatrous adulation of millions of Tamilians.
His achievements in 3 fields, namely films, philanthropy and politics was
remarkable considering his humble origins.”

Below this description is
the logo of “TANAPEX-2017”.

On the lower half is given
the logo of India Post (on the left) and the logo of “South India Philatelist’s
Association” (on the right).

About Me

I am Rajeev Prasad, a retired State Bank of India officer who had been collecting coins in a shoe box without having a serious interest. Only after quitting my job I got the time to take serious interest in developing my coin collection into a hobby. A pity, because I would have had more opportunity to lay my hands on more 'exclusive coins' while in the Bank. Anyway, as they say,better late than never. If you have any views to share with me regarding this blog , please contact me on my email rajeevprasad1208@gmail.com. I also have a twitter account @prasad_rajeev.
I had an opportunity to participate in a Documentary on the life and times of the 25 paise coin titled “Chal Basi Chavanni” (The four anna/twenty five paise coin passes away), aired by STAR NEWS on 29th and 30th June 2011. The programme helped in making many persons hold back onto their “chavannis”, the little round beauties, instead of returning them to Banks .